squier neck replacement issue help?

[kkaarrll]

hello, I just got some parts to combine

a squier dirnt body and a lefty jbass sized but precision labeled neck off of a pj affinity of questionable year

I thought the necks were interchangeable, this gap shows the neck being too round at the end


suggestions?

I have not tried to screw it in yet, worried the holes won't fit anyhow, or how I would even fix it to make it so

suggestions?

 

[Rebop]

The Dirnt bass is like a 51 p-bass neck or telecaster neck, squared off at the end. It should be fine. Screw it on, setup and adjust intonation. Done. Most necks with Fender are interchangeable but they make 2 shapes. Curved and square.

If the gap bothers you, then you'll need to get a neck with a heel that matches or a pickguard with the rounded cut to cover the corners.

 

[kkaarrll]

I can deal with the gaps, I just want it to fit correctly. I was scared of trying to screw it in if they holes didn't match up

 

[LT131]

I can deal with the gaps, I just want it to fit correctly. I was scared of trying to screw it in if they holes didn't match up

Push the screws up thru the plate and body. Lower the neck close. If the screws don't match you will have to see which way the neck needs to go to match. probably towards the bridge. Either have the pocket rounded or the neck squared.

 

[Malak the Mad]

There have been some compatibility issues with certain models of Squiers. Usually, it shows up when trying to modify/upgrade components for the since-discontinued "Squier Standard" series. (as the owner of several Standards, I've run into this issue several times, as well as having posted extensively about it)

I can't speak about Affinity series parts as I've only ever owned one, and the only thing I ever replaced on it was the pickguard. However, it's quite possible that certain year/models also suffered from the same drift away from the standardized Fender/Squier "footprint".

a squier dirnt body and a lefty jbass sized but precision labeled neck off of a pj affinity of questionable year

This is the part that intrigues me. What you describe sounds like the Squier Standard Precision Bass Special, which had a Jazz neck, despite the "Precision" label. (see pic below) To the best of my knowledge…and please, someone correct me if I'm wrong…the Affinity line never made such a mash-up instrument. So, without seeing the decals on the headstock, I would assume what you have is a Standard, not an Affinity. That would account for potentially ill-fitting shapes and sizes.

All three of the instruments pictured below are Squier Standards. (They are also a major pain in the ass to modify! ) The one on the left says "Precision Bass", but it's a Jazz-spec'd neck on a P-body with a P/J configuration.

 

[kkaarrll]

yes, the one on the left is what it look like and says, it isn't a painted headstock though

 

[kkaarrll]

The Dirnt bass is like a 51 p-bass neck or telecaster neck, squared off at the end. It should be fine. Screw it on, setup and adjust intonation. Done. Most necks with Fender are interchangeable but they make 2 shapes. Curved and square.

If the gap bothers you, then you'll need to get a neck with a heel that matches or a pickguard with the rounded cut to cover the corners.

do you guys think the neck not being flush with the body pocket will affect the tone? I should get a chance to put it together soon, just wondering what I am in store for.

 

[Marko 1]

I can't speak about Affinity series parts as I've only ever owned one, and the only thing I ever replaced on it was the pickguard. However, it's quite possible that certain year/models also suffered from the same drift away from the standardized Fender/Squier "footprint".

I put an Affinity neck on a MIM body (Jazz Vs) and it bolted up fine, but I had to make two full-pocket shims from a pickguard to get it the right height.

 

[Malak the Mad]

yes, the one on the left is what it look like and says, it isn't a painted headstock though

And the tiny script on the far end of the headstock says "Affinity"? How about where it was manufactured? It should say on either side of the headstock. If it's China, it's more than likely an Affinity, but if it says Indonesia or Korea, it might be a Squier Standard.

do you guys think the neck not being flush with the body pocket will affect the tone? I should get a chance to put it together soon, just wondering what I am in store for.

I've never installed a shim before, but I can imagine how a gap between the neck and body might alter the overall resonance. You might want to search through the Luthier's Corner or somewhere else on the forum to see what could be used.

The first thing I would do is try what @LT131 suggested and make sure the screw holes match up. Another tip on mounting a neck with a body that might not be an easy fit came from my local guitar tech. He said to wind the strings up to the tuning machines and put them under a little bit of tension. This is to pull the neck more firmly into the pocket.

This technique worked on a parts-bass project of mine where the neck and body weren't a perfect match. I thought I might have to fill-and-drill new holes in the neck. However, that extra bit of mild tension helped the holes line up perfectly…no new holes necessary!

 

[kkaarrll]

the tiny script says standard, I was wrong.

 

[96tbird]

You can leave it as is.

Think about it, even if it matches, the pocket and neck WILL NEVER make full contact. It's wood. It has imperfections. It's only ever going to make perfect contact at high points, even of they are matching to the eye. As long as they are jammed together as firmly as possible, it's good.

A good way is to put it together, tune it to pitch and loosen the bolts a half turn and let string tension draw them together then tighten them back down. The G&L manual even recommends this.

The flat parts do the most work, so always tighten the bolts well and check it once in a while.

 

[Doner Designs]

I agree with the other posts - should work just fine. If you have to "move" the holes, just make sure it mounts up straight. If it fits tight in the neck pocket that should happen by itself. Sometimes the neck pocket has a bit of play. In that case you can let the strings help you with the alignment. From you picture however it looks fine and as someone else said you can always get a different pickguard that will cover the gaps if it bothers you.

 

[Malak the Mad]

the tiny script says standard, I was wrong.

CALLED IT!!

 

[kkaarrll]

You can leave it as is.

Think about it, even if it matches, the pocket and neck WILL NEVER make full contact. It's wood. It has imperfections. It's only ever going to make perfect contact at high points, even of they are matching to the eye. As long as they are jammed together as firmly as possible, it's good.

A good way is to put it together, tune it to pitch and loosen the bolts a half turn and let string tension draw them together then tighten them back down. The G&L manual even recommends this.

The flat parts do the most work, so always tighten the bolts well and check it once in a while.

thank you for this idea, I will fix it up

 

[Malak the Mad]

Another tip on mounting a neck with a body that might not be an easy fit came from my local guitar tech. He said to wind the strings up to the tuning machines and put them under a little bit of tension. This is to pull the neck more firmly into the pocket.

This technique worked on a parts-bass project of mine where the neck and body weren't a perfect match. I thought I might have to fill-and-drill new holes in the neck. However, that extra bit of mild tension helped the holes line up perfectly…no new holes necessary!

A good way is to put it together, tune it to pitch and loosen the bolts a half turn and let string tension draw them together then tighten them back down. The G&L manual even recommends this.

Sometimes the neck pocket has a bit of play. In that case you can let the strings help you with the alignment.

DOUBLE-CALLED-IT!!!
(So…uh, do I win a prize or something? )